BN government doesn’t look into race, colour or creed

KUCHING – The Barisan Nasional (BN) government in Sarawak does not differentiate in the giving of assistance to those who support it during elections and those who don’t, Sarawak Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh told Bernama today.

He said the state government had always believed in the good judgment of the people to decide on the kind of government to lead them.

“The Barisan Nasional’s is a caring government and we are doing our best to help the various organisations to carry out their activities, be it in education, benevolence, sports and even religious matters,” he told reporters after handing over RM450,000 worth of minor and rural project grants to 54 non-governmental organisations at his office in Petra Jaya, here.

Wong made the remark when asked on the substantial amount of assistance given out to urban areas in the state even though past elections had shown that the majority of the voters in these areas did not support the BN.

According to him, the state government’s intention to give out such assistance was to make sure that the recipients would be able to carry out their activities that eventually would bring people from all walks of life together and promote a harmonious atmosphere.

Wong, who is also Sarawak Local Government and Community Development Minister, said the state government was not expecting anything in return except for an understanding from the people that it wanted to maintain a stable environment in the state.

He said the BN had proven that ever since it ruled Sarawak, the state had enjoyed political stability to enable the people to enjoy a conducive social environment, religious tolerance and cultural freedom.

“It (the conducive environment) does not come automatically and I hope the people will not take it for granted. It comes and it is there because of the effort put in by the BN government,” he added. – Bernama